CD
The Horns Of Joy

Item number: TRI_435_CD

EAN: 4260063944352

Date of issue: 01.07.2011

Over the last few years the German group :Golgatha:, who were founded in 2004 as a dark ambient band, have succeeded in cultivating their own unique style via a series of ambitious concept albums and live appearances. They describe this style as 'ritual folk': their highly original fusion of percussive world music elements with ethereal female vocals and earthy folk songs conjures up the spirits of Dead Can Dance, In The Nursery and Jocelyn Pook as well as those of Leonard Cohen, Sol Invictus and Current 93. Sounds of enraptured beauty come up against dark ecstacies and pessimistic visions. 'Horns of Joy' is dedicated to the nihilistic tendencies of the early 20th century - and their necessary overcoming. 'Horns of Joy' follows their successful last album, 'Tales of Transgression & Sacrifice' (2007) and the neoclassical symbiosis with French collaborators Dawn & Dusk Entwinded upon 'Sang Graal' (2008) and denotes a new chapter, a next stage in the development of :Golgatha:. 'Horns of Joy' is serious and mature, ambivalent and profound and amounts to more than just aestheticised gloom.

After early creative collaborations with Sixth Comm, Tony Wakeford and Herbst9, for 'Horns of Joy' they got the vocalists from Dawn & Dusk Entwinded and While Angels Watch on board and have created inimitable hymns about the great calamities of the 20th century: 'This is the sound of war - what has it all been good for?' Trancelike rhythms slowly build up, making way for songs of guilt and pain, but also of hope and joy.

With 'Horns of Joy', :Golgatha: have exceeded the sum of their work to date and have developed their distinct ritual folk sound in crystalline clarity over a cycle of 13 elaborate songs. In a captivating manner they demonstrate their special position in the landscape of European alternative music.